Steam regulation



H. F. SMITHa STEAM REGULATION.

APPLICATION FILED Aus.25`. I9II www@ Im 22, I92:I

l ture, and inert gases. It is evident that the iol UNITEDv s*ri\.ila.sl

PATENT oFFicE. c.

yHAIRJIVZ F. SMITH, OF LEXINGTONOHIO, ASSIGNOR, .'BY MESNIL;ASSIGNMENTS, T0 THE ,GAS RESEARCH COMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ACOBBORATION OF OHIO.

STEAM REGULATION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 22,1921.

To all 107mm t may coacem.'

Be it known that I, HARRY FfSMiTH, a

- citizen of the United States of America, .re-

siding at Lexington, Richland county, Ohio.

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam Regulation,of Which the following is ,a full, clear, yandexact description.

This invention relates to a method of regulating the supply of steam tothe generating chamber of a gas producer by means of the hydrogencontent of the gas produced,

and to a form of apparatus for carrying that 'method into effect:

Itis the general practice, in generating producer gas, to pass a mixtureof air and moisture through a bed of incandescent carbonaceous material.The gas thus produced consists principally of a mixture of hydrogen,liberated upon the decomposition of the moisture passed lthrough theincandescent .carbonceous material, carbon m0- noxid, formed bycombination of some ofthe carbon' With the oxygen of the air and theoxygen liberated from the decomposed moisquality of the gas is dependentupon the relative proportion of air and moisture introduced into thegenerating chamber; for the amount of hydrogen present is proportional`to the amount of moisture thus introduced.

In order to secure a gas having a predetermined quality it is,therefore, necessary to regulate the proportions of air and moisture yintroduced. This moisture is usually in the rectly into the generatingchamber, or into a saturator, Where the air to be introduced into thegenerating chamber takes up a denite quantity of moisture ,whichquantity is dependentupon the temperature, thetenrperature in turn beingof course dependent upon the amount' of-steam present. This -steam maybe taken from a special source of supply, or from the exhaust of theengine driving the pump, Which serves, in the case of a pressureproducer, to force the mixture of air and moisture through thegenerating chamber, or in the 'case of a suction producer, to draw the-air and moisture through thegenerating chamber. The desired quality ofgas may therefore be secured by regulating the amount of steam fed tothe producer.

This regulation of the steam may be brought about in several dilferentWays, each of Which is more or less effective. I prefer to regulate thesupply of moisture to the generating chamber according to the qualityofthe gas itself. In such regulation, I govern the supply of moisture bythe hydrogen content of the gas, and in carrying out such regulation lmyapparatus ,is so arranged that an increasing quantity of hydrogen overthat normally contained in the gas Will Vbringl f about a closingmovement of the valve governing the steam pipe Ileading to thegenerating chamber, While a `decreasing amount of hydrogen will bringabout an4 opening movement of the valve, controlling the supply of steamto the generating chainber. v

The principal object of my invention` My method of regulation is basedon the fact that as the hydrogen content of the gas increases thespecific' gravity of that gas will tend to decrease, and, conversely,that yas the hydrogen content of the gas decreases the specific gravitywilly tend to increase.

And on the further fact that the quantity of hydrogen present inproducer gas is dependent upon the amount of moisture introduced intothe generating chamber. These factsbeing recognized, variations in thespecific gravity of the gas lflowing from the producer are used to bringabout Icorresponding variatons in the opening Aof the valve contrpllingthe supply of steam tothe generating chamber in order to thus secure adefinite hydrogen content .of the gas. In carrying this methodof-regulation into effect I make use of the apparatus illustrated in thedrawing herewith, parts of this apparatus'being shown in elevation andother parts in section in order to more `clearly disclose the structureand mode of operationy thereof.

In the apparatus disclosed, l is a gas main for conveying the gasproduced in the gen erating chamber to any desired place of use orstorage. Leading from this main is a pipe 2, which opens into thelowe`11 end of a vessel 3. This'vessel 3 contains a solution of causticpotash for removing all'carbon dioXid from the gas passing therethrough.

The only constituent part of the as thus removed is the ca-rbon dioxid."'Ighe specific gravities ofA the otherl constituents, with theexception of hydrogen, are about the same,

so that variations in the relative amounts' thereof will notsubstantially atleet the specific gravity of the gas as a whole.AVariations in the amounts of either hydrogenorcarbon dioXid, however,will affect the specilic gravity of the gas as a whole and itis thusnecessary to remove the latter if any specially accurate regulation isto be attempted based on varying amounts of hydro` gen. Fromthe upperend 'of the vessel 3 a pipe .4 leads tothe valve 5. l

The valve, 5 has four portsv through its casing,- arranged at intervalsof 90` degrees.

One of'these ports, `as stated above,l is connected to the pipe 4;Another port, that one located 180 degrees from the port connected withthe pipe 4, is connected with a pipe 6, which communicates with thecorreis connected to the pipe/4. Rotation of the gas from the s upplypipe 4, while the other spending mechanism romvthe steam valveregulator. -The other two ports, which are located midway between thetwo above mentioned ports and at opposite sides of the valve, areconnected wit-h two stand-pipes 7 and 8. Thevalve plug 9 has therein'twopassages lOso arranged that the pipes 4, 6, 7 and 8 can be brought intoregister in pairs. Attached to the valveplug 9 is an actuatingmechanism, (not shown) adapted to impart thereto a continuous rotarymotion so'that each or the stand-pipes 7 and 8 is brought alternatelyinto register with the pipev 4 and the pipe 6. As shown, stand-pipe 8 isconnected to the pipe 6, while stand-pipe 7 valve 5 will connectstand-pipe'? with the pipe 6 and stand-pipe 8 lwith the pipe 4."'

In this way, one of the stand-pipes is receiving a new charge ofhydrogen containing stand-pipe is connected through the pipe 6 with theregulator actuating .mechanism to bring about in that mechanism a changecorrespondingmto` the specific gravity of that particular charge of gas.It is evident that thereto, between the fulcrum and the point" ofconnection with the upper bell of the gasometer, a link 14. A

Located in the pipe'l, which supplies the steam tov the generatingchamber or saturator, is a valve 16 adapted to control the How of steamtherethrough. This valve l 16 has its stem operatively connected to the,

diaphragm 17 of the diaphragm regulator 18., In the regulator 1S is aspring 19 so arranged asto normally tend toclose the valve A16.lCooperating with thespring 19 'is a threaded cap 2O,` wherebythetensionof the springv may be regulated to meet any variationsA in operatingconditions. Connected to the regulator 1s a pipe 21 leading from anysource of supply of iluidunder.` pressure-I prefer to use compressedvairtp.

as the fiuid'under pressure,but of course'- any other pressure luiddesired canbe used in place thereof. Situated in the pipe'2-l is a valve22 adapted to control the How of pressure fluid to the regulator 18.-Leading oi'vfrom the pipe 21, between the valve 22 and the regulator;18, isa branclr pipe .23

controlled byca valve 2 4. The valve 24," under normal conditions, issomewhat open to permit leakage of the pressure Huid in the pipe 21therethrough.; the amount of pres.

sure .fluid admittedv through, the valve 22, the leakage through the`valve 24v and the tension of the spring 19 being so adjusted that undernormall conditions ,f la predeter- `mined opening'of the valve 16 willbe maintained. Adjustably connectedto the stem of the valv 24 is a link25, pivotally connected to the'lever 12. Attached to the pipel 21adjacent the regulator 18 is a pressure l gage 26. v

'v Any up'or down motion of the upper bell of the gasometer 11 willproduce a corresponding motion of the lever 12 to move' the valve 24toward or .from its seat. Such movement of the valve 24, in changingthe.

amount of opening there at,'will change the pressure in the regulator 18and thus vary the amount of opening of thesteam controlled valve 16. If,therefore, there is a variation in the specific .gravity of the chargeof gas in either of the stand-pipes 7-8, such variation will betransmitted to `the gasometer and through it and the mechanismcoperat-ing therewith to the steam valve. 16. Since all the carbondioxid, which will tend to effect the specific gravity of the gas isremoved in the vessel 3, it is obvious that any changes in specificgravity of lsuch gas .will be due to a varyinghydrogen content. If thespecific gravity increases,.it is due to a decrease of hydrogen, whichmeans' an insuiiicient supply of steam. This' increase of specificgravity, which is merely another way of saying that the weight of thecolumn of gas in the stand' pipe has increased, will be transmitted toparts a closing movement to the valve 24v and results-inthe building upof pressure in vthe regulator 18, with a consequent opening of the valve16 to supply more steam to the f -amount of hydrogen present in the gas.

' generating chamber. If this opening of the valve 16 results in thesupply of too much Asteam to the `generating; chamber, there will be ofcourse too great an increase in the quantity of hydrogen present, with acorresponding decrease in the specific gravity, which .decrease inspecific gravity Will tend to return-the steam control valve 16 tonormal position. Andobviously, any 4decrease in the speciiic gravityWould, irl-like manner, cause a further closing of the valve 16, with aconsequent decrease in theamount of steam supplied tothe. generatingchamber to bring about a corresponding decrease ,in the The stand-pipes7 and 8 are of considerable length in" order to hold a large quantity ofgastothus increase the actual Weight changes due to specific gravityvariations.

yAlso the valve 5 has the passages therein so arranged thatthe How ofgas from the pipe 4 toeach of the stand-pipes .is cut on' sufficientlyin advance of the time of connecting .either of these stand-pipes tothepipe `6 to permit of the gas therein comingy yto a complete rest beforebeing-so connected. In this Way, all errors due to flow ofthe gas.

in the stand-pipes are entirely eliminated,

since thegas will have come to a completer rest before it is connectedwith the gasometer l1.

It is of course evident that' more than tvvoi stand-pipes may be used ifdesired, the num- `berbeing dependent upon the number and arrangement ofpassages in the valve 5. A greater number of stand-pipes isadvantageousat times, since a more continuous. regulation of the steamcan be secured; for, by using a greater number of stand-pipes, the valve5.oan be so` arranged that one of the stand-pipes is lalways inconnection with the gasometerll'so that a truly continuous regulation ofthe valve 16 can be secured.

For very accurate control 'thecarbon dioxid containedin the gas shouldbe removed by utilizingthe tank 3 and its con` tained caustic solution.In general practice,

however, especially in the generation ofv producer gas, there is, duringoperation, comparatively slight variation in the proportion. ofcarbon-dioxid present in the gas.

ut there may be," and frequently is, very ,substantial variation in theproportion of hydrogen present. Further the proportion ofcarbon-dioxidpresent in the gas isusuallyI considerably-lower than the proportion ofhydrogen present. Unless especially accurate control is desired,therefore, the removal ofthe carbon-dioxid may be dispensed With, and asatisfactory control se- .i

cured by varying the amount of moisture supplied, in accordance withthe.y specific gravity of the gas generated, Without the removal of anyof its constituents.

My method of steam regulation is by no means limited in its voperationto the precise form of apparatus disclosed, for it is quite evident thatmany variations in the form of i ltypes of apparatus might besubstituted for the gasometer 11, and, too, for the regulator 18.

ll/Vhile the method'herein described, and the form'of apparatus forcarrying this metliodinto effect, constitute preferredembodiments of theinvention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited tothis precise method and ,form of apparatus, and that changes maybe madein either Without de arting'from the scope of the invention W ich isdeined in the appendedI claims.

lVhat I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is 1. Themethod, in the generation of gas in which air and moisture are suppliedto-the gas generating chamber, which consists in continuouslycontrolling the amount of moisture supplied according to the specilicgrav ity of the gas produced;

2.A The method, in the generation of gas in which air andmoisture aresupplied to the gas generating cham'ber, which consists in automaticallyvarying the amount of moisture 'supplied according to the hydrogencontent of the gas produced.

3.. The method, in thegeneration of gas in which lair and moisture aresupplied to the Vgas generating chamber, which consists in removing allcarbon-'dioxid from portions of the g'as and controlling themoisturesupply according to variations in thespecitc grav- .gas andcontrolling the amount of moisture supplied according tothe 'specificgravity of' such portions.

6. The method, in the generation of gas in 4WhichV air and moisture aresupplied to the gas generating chamber, which `consists in 1 collectingportions of the gas produced, al-

valve, and separate actuating means for saidv governing mechanismcomprising a specific gravity stand-pipe.

9. In a moisture regulator for gasproducers, a moisture supply pipe, avalve for controlling flow therethrough, operating mechanism for saidvalve, and actuatingv means for said operating mechanism', saidactuating means being responsive to varia- .tions in specific gravity ofthe gas produced.

10. In a moisture regulator for gas producers, amoistu're 'supply pipeleading to the producer, a valve for controlling flow therethrough,operating mechanism for said valve, and actuating means for saidoperat-.

ing mechanism, said actuating means being responsive to variations inthe hydrogen content of the gas produced.

11.1n a moisture regulator, a moisture supply pipe, a valve forcontrolling flow therethrough, pressure actuated means for operatingsaid valve, and means for actuating said pressure operated meanscomprising specific gravity stand-pipes.

12. The method of regulatingthe amount of a certain fluid materialsupplied to a device containing other material adapted to cause areaction with said certain fluid material to 'produce aresulting'material, which consists in automatically varying the amountof said fluid material supplied according to variations in thecomposition of said resulting material.

13. The method of regulating the amount of a certain fluid materialsupplied to a device containing other material adapted to cause areaction with said certain fluid material to produce a resultantmaterial, which' consists in automatically varying the amount of saidfluid material supplied according to variations inthe specific gravityof the said resultant material.

14. The method of regulatingthe amount of a certain lfluid materialsupplied to a device containing other material adapted to cause areaction with Asaid certain uid material to produce a desired resultingmaterial, which consists in collecting portions of said resultingmaterial, and. automatically varying the amount of said certain fluidmaterial of a certain fluid material supplied to a device containingother material adapted to cause a reaction With said certain fluidmaterial to produce a desired. resulting materia1, vvhich consists incollecting portions of said resulting material, allowing such collectedportions to come to rest, and automatically varying the amount of` saidcer-V tain iiuid material supplied according to variations in thespecific gravity of said collected portions.

- 16. rl`he method, in the generation of gas 4in which 4air and moistureare supplied to the gas generating chamber, Which consists in collectingportions of the gas generated; removing carbon dioxid therefrom;-allowing carbon ldioXid free portions to come to rest; and then varyingthe supply of' moisture according to. variations in the specificgravityof such portions.

17. In a device for controlling the supply of moisture to a gasgenerator, a moisture supply pipe leading to said generator; a valve forcontrolling fioW through said pipe, operating mechanism for said valve;means for withdrawing portions ofthe gas produced and removing carbondioXid therefrom; and means for actuating the valve operating mechanismto accord with variations in the specific gravity ofthe carbon dioxidfree gas.

18. In a device for controlling the supply of moisture to a gasgenerator, a moisture supply pipe leading to said generator; a valve forcontrolling flow through said pipe, operating mechanism for saidvalve;means for withdrawing portions of the gas produced and. removing carbonldioXid therefrom; means for allowing such portions of gas to come torest;land means for actuat-Y ing the valve operating mechanism to accordwith variations in the specific gravity of the collected portions ofcarbon dioxid free gas.

19. The method of regulating the amount' of acertain fluid supplied to adevice for mixing a plurality of fluids which consists gravity of thegenerated gas.

21. Av device for controlling the supply of moisture to a Jgasgenerator, comprising `a moisture supply pipe, through whichmoistui'e'is introduced into the generator, a controlling valve therein;pressure responsive operating mechanism for said controlling valve, apipe for supplying pressure iiuid to said operating mechanism, a valvein said last named pipe for regulating the supply of pressure iuid tosaid operating mechanism; and operating means for said-last named valveresponsive to variations in specii'ic gravity of the generated gas.

22. A device for controlling the supply of moisture to a gas generator,comprising a moisture supply pipe, through which moisture is introducedinto the generator, a controlling valve therein; pressure responsiveoperating mechanism for said controlling valve, a pipe for supplyingpressure fiuid to said operating mechanism, a valve in said last namedpipe for regulating the supply of pressure fluid to said operatingmechanism; pressure responsive means operatively connected to said lastnamed valve, a specific gravity standpipe connected to said means, andVmeans for trapping in said standpipe some of the generated gas, theconstruction being such that the said pressure responsive means willoperate ,the said last. named means in accordance with the specificgravity of the gas trapped in said standpipe.

23.v A device for controlling the supply of moisture to la gas generatorhaving a delivery main, comprising a moisture supply pipe, through whichmoisture is introduced into the generator, a controlling valve therein;pressure responsive operating mechanism for said valve, apipe forsupplying pressure Huid to said operating mechanism,

a bleed valve in said pipe; a gasometer, the upper bell of which isoperatively connected to said bleed valve; a specic gravity standpipeconnected to said gasometer; and means for connecting said standpipe tothe interior of the gasometer or to the delivery main.

24:. The method7 in the genera-tion of gas in which air and moisture aresupplied to the generating chambel` of a ygas producer, means beingprovided for controlling the quantity of moisture supplied, whichconsists in withdrawing a portion of the generated gas, and collectingfractions of such withdrawn gas in apparatus constructed to actuate themoisture controlling means to regulate the amount of moisture introducedinto the generating chamber of the producer to accord" with thespeciic'gravity of the generated gas. Y

25. The method, in the generation of gas in which a-ir and moisture aresupplied to the generating chamber of a gas producer, means beingprovided for controlling the quantity of moisture supplied, whichconsists in withdrawing a portion of the generated gas, vremovingcarbon-dioxide therefrom, and collecting fractions of suchcarbon-dioxide free gas in specific gravity apparatus, constructed toactuate the moisture controlling means, to regulate the amount of,moisture introduced into the generating chamber of the producer toaccord with the specific gravity of the generated gas.

In testimony whereofl I affix my signature.

HARRY r. sMiTH.

